Detachable tread for pneumatic tires.



PATENTED NOV. 12, .1907.

0.3. woonwom'n. DETAGHABLE TRBAD FOR PNEUMATIO TIRES.

APPLICATION IILBD DEO.12,1906.

[\lEEEEE 7 \MT izyfimq in Detachable Treads for Pneumatic Tires, ofwhich extensions integral with two of said layers. Secured PA ENTOFFICE- CHARLES B. WOODWORTH, OF NEW TON, MASSACHUSETTS.

DETAGHABLE TREAD FOR PNEUMATIC TIRES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed December 12.1906-Serial No. 347.438;

Patented Nov. 12, 1907.

To all whomz't may concern: I

Be it known thatI, CHARLES B. Woonwonrn, asubject of the King of GreatBritain, residing in Newton, in the county of Middlesex and State ofMassachusetts, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements thefoll owing is a specification.

This invention relates to detachable treads adapted tobe applied to andremoved from a pneumatic tire, more particularly when the tire is inplace on the wheel, such device being sometimes termed a tire-protectoror cover.

The invention relates particularly to that portion of the tire-protectorby means of which the tread portion is held in position on the tire.

In the present invention, each edge of the treadportion is connected bymeans of suitable radially arranged hooks with a wire which isadapted toextend entirely around the wheel, and is of such a shape that it canstretch and contract in the direction of its length-stretching orexpanding when the tire is being inflated, retaining always an eventension on the cover, and springing in the direction of its length whenit is in use. Moreover the shape of the wire is such as to effectuallyprevent the cover from creeping.

The nature of the invention is fully described below, and illustrated inthe accompanying drawing, in which: i

Figure l is a cross section showing a portion of my improved detachabletread in position on a pneumatic tire. Fig.2 is a side elevation showinga portion of a pneumatic tire with a corresponding portion of the treadin position thereon.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

a represents an ordinary pneumatic tire, and b is the rim of the wheel.

The ,main portion of the tread comprises preferably a plurality oflayers 0 of suitable material or materials secured together by rivets d,or in any other manner thearrangement of the layers and rivets not beingnew in the present invention. From these layers there extends downoneach side a flap e consisting of two to this flap. by suitable rivetsf, preferably between the extensions, and eirtending radially inwardtherefrom, are hooks 9, preferably metallic and approximately V-shape d,and with'their tapered inner ends it bent inward and turned outward asillustrated in Fig. 1, the

g of the books. I prefer to strengthen and stiffen the hooks at theirbent portions by means of suitable ribs k.

Located on each side of the protector and attached thereto by means ofsaid hooks is a wire s. is adapted to extend entirely around the wheeland through every hook, and its two ends 8 are hooked together as shownor in any desired manner. These wires are so constructed as to beelastic and capable .of being stretched or expanded in the direction oftheir length, and hence can spring in thesame direction: The shape whichI prefer for the purpose of rendering the wires elastic or expansible isthat illustrated, and comprises a series of uniform crimps or waves,said crimps or waves corresponding in number with the hooks g, and theoutwardly projecting or highestportion of each crimp or wave beingadapted to be caught in said hook, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

In applying the protector or cover the air is first let out of the tire,next the tread portion with the hooks I attached is applied to the tire,the hooks are then caught over the wires in the manner illustrated, andthe tire is -then ready to be inflated. While the tire is being inflatedthe wires will expand or straighten uniformly between the hooks until aproper degree of inflation has been reached. When the wire is inposition and the tire is in use, said wire preserves practically an Thiswire even tension on the cover, and all expansion and con- 7 traction,or springing back are in the direction of its length. By reason of thewave-like corrugations the hooks are prevented from creeping on thewire, and hence creeping of the cover'with relation to the wire iseffectually prevented.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a detachable trend for pneumatic tires, the tread portion; a wiresubstantially concentric therewith and adapted to extend entirely aroundthe wheel, said wire. being rendered expansible and contractible in thegeneral direction of its lengthby its shape; and hooks connected withthe tread portion and extending inward radially into engagement with thesaid wire, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a detachable tread for pneumatic tires, the tread portion; a wiresubstantially concentric therewith and adapted to extend entirely aroundthe wheel, said wire being rendered expansible and contractible in thegeneral direction of its length by its shape; and hooks connected withthe tread portion and extending inward radially into detachableengagement with the said wire, for the purpose set forth.

3. In a detachable tread for pneumatic tires, the tread portion; a wiresubstantially concentric therewith and adapted to extend around 'thewheel, said wire being me ends being bent toward h i rtion 1 formed withcrimps or waves; and means for connecting said crimps or wavesseparately with the tread portion,

for the purpose of preventing creeping.

4. In a detachable tread for pneumatic tires, the tread portion; a wiresubstantially concentric therewith and 5 adapted to extend around thewheel, said wire being formed with ci-imps or waves and hooks connectedwith the tread portion and extending radially into engagement with saidcr'imps or waves.

5. In a detachable tread for pneumatic tires, the tread 10 portion; awire substantially concentric therewith and adapted to extend around thewheel, said wire being formed with crimps or waves: and hooks connectedwith the tread portion and extending'radiaily into detachable engagementwith said crimps or waves.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name tothis 15 specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES B. WOODWORTH.

Witnesses HENRY W. WXLLIAMS,

A. K. Hoon.

